THE HAGUE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Negotiations on a new Dutch government appeared to have reached a deadlock as two major parties rejected joining a coalition government with far-right populist Party for Freedom (PVV).

The center-right party New Social Contract (NSC) and the rightist People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) have both expressed that they can only support a minority government from outside instead of full participation.

Ronald Plasterk, a former PvdA (Labor) politician appointed as "scout" to talk to all parties over the formation of a possible government, said in a report that the four political parties negotiating over a new coalition government are not expected to reach a deal at least for now.

The negotiations had shown early progress but splits emerged between the PVV and the NSC over issues related to "fundamental rights and the rule of law."

The NSC said that given past statements and the PVV's election manifesto, the distance between the rule of law remains too great for its participation in a majority government.

Last week, the NSC stepped out of the negotiations, telling the other three parties that it did not want to participate in a majority government with the PVV, according to the report.

But the other three parties, PVV, VVD and the farmers movement BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) continued negotiations because it was still possible that NSC wanted to cooperate by supporting a minority government or another type of cabinet.

The negotiations need a second round, but whether this will be with the current four center to far-right parties or what kind of government should be the goal, remains to be seen, according to Plasterk's report, which still does not preclude the possibility for the parties to reach a deal.

"Based on the discussions held, it cannot be ruled out that an agreement will be reached by the four parties," Plasterk wrote in the report. "There are enough similarities that should make it possible to form a new government."

What form such a government should have, a majority or minority cabinet, must be determined later, according to Plasterk. The four parties had been negotiating since mid-December.

The far-right PVV won the general elections in the Netherlands on November 22 by a landslide and negotiations on a center-right-wing government were the logical next step.

Before the negotiations, the VVD said it did not want to be in a government with the PVV, but that it would support a center-right cabinet from the sidelines, the same as the NSC has now said.

"It is clear that not everyone can only support and not join a government," Plasterk wrote on this matter in his report.

Since the start of the negotiations, the NSC showed major doubts about cooperation with the PVV. The NSC has severe constitutional objections to some of the PVV's ideas, especially the anti-Islam views. The atmosphere during the negotiations has therefore and for some other issues never been warm.

NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt was back in The Hague on Monday after a few days break. He told Dutch media that he prefers a minority cabinet of PVV, VVD and BBB, so without his own party.

"I think it is a good idea that they will form a minority cabinet together," he said.

Plasterk said in his report a new scout should be appointed as his successor. He said the new scout must specifically study the shape of the next government, which was not part of his assignment. Enditem

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